How does the CCOG handle Counseling, Prayer Requests, Funerals, and Anointing of the Sick?

Since we have many members who are scattered in the USA and Canada, we have appointed Deacon Richard Close to assist with counseling, responding to prayer requests, sending out anointed cloths, personal anointing of the sick, being involved in funeral matters, answer questions when asked, etc.

As far as funerals go, since our brethren in North America are so scattered, while we cannot always have someone attend funerals of deceased supporters, we have tried to send someone when we can. Richard Close now would be one we may send depending upon his schedule and the funeral’s location. We have had other men assist this way in the past who may also do so in the future.

Richard Close is a long time member of the Church of God. He was ordained a deacon about 27 years ago. He lives in Towanda, Pennsylvania and is appointed as an elder to handle more of this (cf. Acts 14:23)..

Richard Close speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles in New Brunswick

Here is a biographical sketch from Richard Close about himself:

My wife Colleen and I were married in 1959. After being (honorably) discharged from USMC, my wife Colleen and I were driving North thru Pasadena on our way to Pennsylvania. First heard Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) on Memorial Day in weekend 1960 on that drive.

We were both drawn to what he had to say. We had been living in Santa Ana , Calif. and attended a Methodist Church and continued to do so when we got back to Pa.

The next time I heard HWA was on WWVA Wheeling ,W. VA. and continued to listen. Got literature and the 57 lesson Bible C.C.and soon I quit attending Methodist Church. Wrote for a ministerial visit (1963 I think). Was visited in June 66 and was invited to services in Phila Pa., which was a 4 hours drive one way.

Attended my 1st Sabbath service the week before Passover 1967. Skipped the next Sabbath because the meeting was going to be in NYC. also about 3 1/2 hours away. Went to Philadelphia the following week and have continued ever since. Missing very, very few Sabbaths.

I was baptized post Feast of Tabernacles in 1967 by Walter Sharpe. Attended the Feast of Tabernacles in 1968 in Minehead, England. Colleen and I were ordained deaconess and deacon @ a combined service (Binghamton and Elmira NY) in 1989.—-{My thinking is probably Pentacost or Trumpets}.

Occupation: auto Mechanic and later was in asbestos removal and re-insulation business. I retired after 19 years–went back and worked summers another 2 years. Presently I am involved in logging and also during the winter months selling Wood Pellets and fire wood –retail. I also have done carpentry work, plumbing repair, roofing/siding, equipment operator, truck driver (straight -dump—tractor trailer-(dump,flat-bed,and tanker ) fabricator/welder and some farming before going into military where I was a radio-teletype operator.

I have attended UCG primarily since post FT 1995 although I have firmly believed since leaving WCG that, as Mr. Armstrong taught—the physical corporation is not the body of Christ–the body of Christ is a spiritual entity, and as such is not separated by man’s physical corporate divisions. In 2015, I noticed enough about the Continuing Church of God to get me to attend its Feast of Tabernacles’ site in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, in 2015. After attending, I decided this is where God wanted me to mainly serve.

Colleen and I have 6 children—3 boys and 3 girls,plus – grand- children and great grand children,counting inlaws etc I think 59 total. My wife said this morning ” some thing will have to go” if I am on the road a lot. I told her that if this is what God wants me to do–He will provide.

Richard Close became part of the Continuing Church of God in 2015.

If you are in the USA or Canada and need counseling, etc, Richard Close’s email address is: closesr@comcast.net

Dr. Bob Thiel also tries to counsel, respond to prayer requests, send out anointed cloths, personally anoint the sick, handle funeral matters, answer questions when asked, etc. But because of his schedule, it is normally best for those in North America to contact Richard Close. As far as baptisms go, so far in the USA, Dr. Bob Thiel has performed them when he is traveling to an area, like at the Feast of Tabernacles. Richard Close is expected to also be involved with baptisms and baptismal counselings.

The Continuing Church of God, which attempts to represent the most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) portion of the Church of God, bases its beliefs on the Holy Bible. Read CCOG's statement of beliefs for more information.